Questions from August 2010
I desperately need the test specs and timing information for the Delphi diesel fuel injection pump model #9320A224G. I know I can get this when I purchase the Delphi Direct Evolution Software, however...
For my next car I fancy buying something cheap to run with a low or zero tax disc price. I'm thinking about a used Toyota IQ. With such a small engine, would there be a mileage limit above which I shouldn't...
I have a 2007 (07) 1.2 Volkswagen Urban Fox. I have had the car from new and have recently begun to drive around 25,000 per annum. Given my current mileage and my desire for a slightly higher powered vehicle,...
My wife and daughter both have Vauxhall Corsas. A 2000 X-reg 16v Corsa Club. 1199cc petrol hatchback and a 2003 03-reg Corsa Club 12v 973cc 4-door petrol. A couple of mechanics have said these models...
Twice in the past year you have answered a similar question to 'is it economical to coast in neutral down hill'. Both times your answer is wrong! Of course you are correct that in neutral the engine is...
My son is a photographer who sometimes carries 9-foot backdrop rolls to shoots, as well as lighting poles etc, and needs to replace his ageing Shogun Sport. He would like better fuel economy, and occasional...
I have a two and a half year old BMW M3 and I drive it a lot because of my job. I plan to change it in 2013 and imagine it will have done about 80,00 miles by then. I need to plan this carefully because...
My 2005 Citroen C4' VTR's engine management light keeps lighting and telling me the de-pollution system is faulty. Any ideas?
Another vehicle reversed into my car at a motorway service station car park and drove off without attempting to leave any details. However, I have his registration and two independent witnesses. Damage...
My wife's Volkswagen Polo Dune was supplied new in 2004 with bright silver alloy 71/2 J x 17 'BBS' wheels with 215/40 ZR 17 83W Dunlop Sport 9000 tyres. The nearside alloy wheels have been 'kerbed' and...
I've discovered Mazda are recalling Mazda 3 2007-2009 models due to major problems with the steering column. Have you any information regarding this?
I am looking to buy a 2003 Ford Fiesta 1.3 LX 3-door hatchback. It says in the description that it is in excellent condition all round, and has a brand new timing belt and water pump plus a full service....
I'm trying to work out whether to buy a petrol or diesel Ford Mondeo, taking into consideration that the initial price for this car secondhand is the same, say £2000. If I'm doing a mix of short five-mile...
I believe I have to disengage my Hyundai Santa Fe's ESP if I decide to use locked four-wheel drive. Does this mean that if the car decides to engage four-wheel drive itself, it automatically disengages...
The hydrolastic suspension on my 1998 MGF needs doing but don't want to be ripped off. Anyone know a good, reputable garage that has the equipment?
My 52 plate Suzuki Ignis has covered just over 50,000 miles and is regularly maintained. Yesterday my wife was driving the car when the ESP light came on. There was no obvious effect on the steering and...
I have a Peugeot 407 HDI. A warning signal comes up saying I need to top up my emissions particle filter fluid. Can anyone tell me if I can do this myself and, if so, where it is located?
Good morning.I am having great problems getting a quote for a replacement clutch for my 1999 Ford Galaxy TDI manual. Six garages that i have contacted are being vague or have not got back to me. I understand...
I want a perky Volkswagen Golf to drive that is fairly economical. I intend to keep the car, so am thinking about a diesel engine. I do quite a high mileage, about 13,000 per year. There are quite a lot...
In the past I have owned a Volkswagen Polo and a Golf. The cars lasted 17 years and 14 years and were still good roadworthy cars when I sold them. I was shocked when I read your comments about modern cars...
I've put a new battery into my car and I can't find a code for my CDR500 VDO radio. How do I get a new code?
I own a 523 E39, a stunning car. Unfortunately I'm unable to open the driver's door using my key or remote. I have checked all the fuses and the relays all seem ok. I have disconnected and reconnected...
Could you please advise as to which medium-sized car has the best back support, which also allows for a range of adjustment?
I have a 2006 Ford Fiesta. I tried to jumpstart it by connecting the battery the wrong way round. Now the car is completely dead. Do I need a new battery or have I blown a fuse?
I have an 2005 Mercedes-Benz A180CDi which has done 40,000 miles. The offside front suspension clatters over bumps and makes a single 'clonk' when first setting off. The clattering noise varies quite a...
I'd be grateful if you could tell me if the diesel Mitsubishi ASX has a chain-driven camshaft and a DPF?
I have a 52-plate Mitsubishi Spacestar which shows the approximate distance you can travel with fuel, but when I topped up the distance did not change. Now it's showing no miles but I've still got half...
I have had problems with misfiring, loss of power, and red engine management lights coming on on two cars which where filled with unleaded petrol at a supermarket. One of the vehicles has needed to have...
I have a Citroen C4 2.0 HDI and I'm having problems starting it. The ignition lights and the dash all turn on fine, but then when you try and start the car nothing happens. I have checked the battery and...
I bought a Ford Ka about three months ago and just took it for an MOT which it failed badly! The offside rear (chassis) vehicle sturcture, nearside sill and offside floor pan have excessive corrosion,...
Last week I agreed to purchase a used Ford S-Max from a national Ford dealer. The deal was negotiated and a price agreed. The car I was purchasing was not viewed as it was at another branch of the dealer....
I have recently bought a 2004 Jaguar XK8 from a Jaguar specialist for £15,000. Having driven it for two weeks I have noticed a severe "snatch" between first and second gear (which appears worse if I accelerate...
Over the past 30 years or so I have been in the habit of coasting down long hills in neutral with the engine idling. Can coasting do any damage? I find it suits my relaxed style of driving and as I recall...
I'm probably not going to get any sympathy, but being a builder I drive a van. I don't have explain what happens when you traverse four speed humps with a van full of tools and materials. Unpleasant is...
We have a 2009 Ford Fiesta Titanium auto on 15 x 6 alloy wheels. with 195/50 Hancook tyres. This wretched car, which could be so nice, gives no pleasure to driver or passenger because of the incessant...
I am currently driving a 2002 Skoda Fabia 1.4 and have decided to give the car to my daughter. Prior to handover I thought it would be prudent to have a full service so booked it in to my local Skoda dealer....
I base my forthcoming comments to you on past media reports, about the London congestion tax. Kulveer Ranger, the mayor’s spokesman on transport matters, has almost admitted that the scrapping of the congestion...
Nearly four years ago I purchased a 1994 FIAT Panda Colour from M1 Motor Auctions Leeds for £100. I have done about 60k miles in it, and I cannot believe the rear exhaust silencer is now blowing. Do you...
I thought you and your readers might like to hear of the excellent service I received this week from a local independent garage, F R Pulleyn of Station Road, Haxby, York. The clutch on my car failed and...
I have purchased a Toyota LandCruiser LC 3.0 diesel automatic for towing our caravan. It was registered in November 2008. I am getting quite reasonable fuel economy given the large engine and vehicle (23-24mpg...
My wife has a Honda Jazz. She likes the boot space, 4 doors and length but would prefer something that is a little quicker with those criteria. Can you recommend anything?
Some weeks ago I wrote to four nearby Volkswagen dealers enclosing a specification for an automatic VW Golf Estate 1.4SE TSI and inviting them to respond with their best price and estimated delivery time....
In February my partner had an accident in the private car park of our block of flats, reversing our 2006 Yaris into our neighbour's Mk1 Mercedes SLK. The damage to our car was far more apparent than any...
I want to replace my 2006 Renault Megane DCI 106 Dynamique. Is there a comparable car that has the size, economy, road tax at £30?
I actually know an automatic right foot only driver. Although she didn't kill or injure anyone, she managed to create mayhem and damage six other cars in the Co-op Supermarket car park in Penistone, W....
In a response to a letter published on 5 January you say that VAG will meet 100 percent of replacement cost if a Touran has been VAG maintained and has a faulty ABS control unit. Our Touran is 5 years...
You should be aware that the passing on of confidential information to ‘accident management’ specialists is rife amongst insurers and garages. As soon as the accident comes in the staff pass the info...
Being short, my wife has to have the driver's seat of her 04 Fiesta 1.4 Ghia fully forward when driving, for comfort and safety. For ease of entry and exit, she slides the seat back at the end of each...
I have a 2002 Toyota Previa, purchased through, and regularly serviced by my local Toyota dealer. The car and the dealer have been excellent so far and the car is now in its 3rd and final year of extended...
I'm on my second Mondeo 2.5V6. I've run them both on ordinary unleaded but at about 68k miles (now 72k miles) my car developed a misfire at low revs when the engine is under load. The car still starts...
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